Who will coach RB Leipzig in Berlin on Friday? That question is not yet clear at midday on Thursday. Jesse Marsch praised his potential replacement – and apologised to Brian Brobbey for one of his decisions in the last game.
“We’re testing every day, there’s more and more negative tests in there, so that’s good. I feel very good today. We always look then what the respective measures are,” coach Marsch said at the digital press conference at noon on Thursday. The coach is still in domestic isolation after his Corona infection, so will not be present at training yet. The decision regarding his return now rests with the health department. RB Leipzig is in close consultation and wants to communicate any news promptly.
So there remains a residual hope that Marsch will be able to take part on Friday evening in Berlin after all. Since co-coach Achim Beierlorzer also tested positive and is in isolation, training was last led by second assistant coach Marco Kurth. “There is a possibility that Achim can come out of quarantine, maybe he can support again. Marco is ready, he understands exactly what is important for the game. We also always have video conferences and coordinate exactly. I trust Achim and Marco,” said head coach Marsch.
Should Kurth also coach the team in Berlin, Marsch would not have any belly laughs at all. “Marco is perfect, he is a super coach. I have a lot of questions from other clubs and sports directors about Marco because he is very good. It’s a big challenge for him, but he is more than ready. It’s important that the process works as well as possible in our communication with everyone together. “
Sorry to Brobbey
The coach also used Thursday’s presser to apologise once again to one of his players. Attacking midfielder Brian Brobbey was substituted in the 43rd minute of the 3-1 defeat to Leverkusen and replaced by Dominik Szoboszlai at an unusual time. “I spoke to him and apologised, the timing of the substitution was not ideal. It’s hard from home, I also had a bit of a delay compared to the live game. The plan was to make the substitution earlier, but it took a bit until Dominik was warm. It wasn’t just Brian who wasn’t good in the game against Leverkusen,” explained Marsch.
On Friday, Leipzig want to show a different face than against Leverkusen. “We are in a situation where we are desperate. We have to be ready, need a good mentality and a good match plan. We need discipline and clarity in our game,” demanded Marsch, who said with regard to the match plan: “Union is very good at counter-attacks. That’s why we have to be better in counter-pressing and in the rest of the defence than we were against Leverkusen, so that Union don’t get so much space behind our chain. We have to be more compact in certain moments. “
